The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced major changes to the formats of both the ODI and T20 World Cups, introducing a new ‘Super Series’ in the 50-over tournament and Eliminator matches in the T20 World Cup to increase competition and raise the stakes throughout the events.
The decisions were approved at the ICC’s Annual Conference in Edinburgh.
The ODI World Cup will continue to feature 14 teams, but with a revamped structure. Before the main tournament begins, the three lowest-ranked teams will compete in a Super Series, with only one team advancing to the group stage. The other two teams will be eliminated.
The remaining 12 teams will then be divided into two groups of six. At the end of the group stage, the top three teams from each group, along with the best-performing fourth-placed team, will qualify for the Super 7 stage.
The top four teams in the Super 7 standings will progress to the semi-finals before the tournament concludes with the final.
Explaining the changes, the ICC said the new format is aimed at making every match more meaningful.
“The increased consequence and enhanced competitive intensity promise to enhance the overall experience for fans while continuing to provide emerging teams with the chance to compete on cricket’s biggest stage,” the ICC said in a statement.
The ICC has also revamped the T20 World Cup format by introducing Eliminator matches.
The tournament will feature 20 teams, divided into five groups of four during the opening stage. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 10, where the 10 qualified teams will be split into two groups of five.
The table-toppers from both Super 10 groups will qualify directly for the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, the teams finishing second and third in each group will compete in cross-over Eliminators. The second-placed team from Group A will face the third-placed team from Group B, while the second-placed team from Group B will take on the third-placed team from Group A.
The winners of those Eliminators will complete the semi-final lineup.
With the introduction of the Super Series and Eliminators, the ICC aims to ensure that more matches carry significant importance, while also creating additional opportunities for emerging nations to compete at the highest level.
